Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in ... more

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in ... more

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in ... more

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in ... more

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in Houston. less

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo and members of the HPD's major offenders division hold a press conference announcing the recovery of Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady's jersey on Monday, March 20, 2017, in ... more

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady hoist the Lombadi Trophy in the air after the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer

Cory Derman, San Diego, California, catches up on sleep at Bush International Airport after pulling an all nighter. Derman and his friend went to the Super Bowl and stayed up until they arrived at IAH early Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, in Houston. Their flight is scheduled to depart at 10 p.m. tonight. ( Steve Gonzales / Houston Chronicle )

Cory Derman, San Diego, California, catches up on sleep at Bush International Airport after pulling an all nighter. Derman and his friend went to the Super Bowl and stayed up until they arrived at IAH early

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady center, walks in the on field crowd after the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) makes a diving catch for a first down against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in

New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) has his facemask pushed back as he stops Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) on a 9-yard reception during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in Houston. less

New England Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan (26) has his facemask pushed back as he stops Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) on a 9-yard reception during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG ... more

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady left, falls to the field as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford runs the ball for a touchdown after a pick six during the second quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium on Sunday, February 5, 2017. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady left, falls to the field as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford runs the ball for a touchdown after a pick six during the second quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG

Snoop Dogg waits for DJ Khaled to take a shot during the DraftKings Antonio Brown Celebrity Slam Basketball Game benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston at the Joe K. Butler Sports Complex,

Ashley Landis with Wilson Sporting Goods, Chicago, Ill., shoots photos of a Super Bowl ball that her company makes Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, in Houston. "It's cold" Landis said of her first day in Houston. ( Steve

Former Houston Rocket Yao Ming receives recognition from Mayor Sylvester Turner for his work as a goodwill ambassador for Houston on and off the basketball court on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Houston. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )

Former Houston Rocket Yao Ming receives recognition from Mayor Sylvester Turner for his work as a goodwill ambassador for Houston on and off the basketball court on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Houston. (

A Customs and Border Protection UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies over NRG Stadium before Super Bowl LI Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 in Houston. On Sunday a total of five Customs and Border Protection helicopters and three airplanes will be enforcing a temporary flight restriction for aircraft within a 30 mile radius of NRG Stadium. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle )

A Customs and Border Protection UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies over NRG Stadium before Super Bowl LI Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 in Houston. On Sunday a total of five Customs and Border Protection helicopters and

New England Patriots mascot Pat the Patriot takes a selfie as he mingles with fans outside the team hotel on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

New England Patriots mascot Pat the Patriot takes a selfie as he mingles with fans outside the team hotel on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

Image 47 of 71

Atlanta Falcons Blidi Wren-Wilson (33) tucks himself into his hoodie as he sits at his interview table during the Falcons media availability at the Memorial City Ice Arena, Thursday, February 2, 2017. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

Atlanta Falcons Blidi Wren-Wilson (33) tucks himself into his hoodie as he sits at his interview table during the Falcons media availability at the Memorial City Ice Arena, Thursday, February 2, 2017. ( Karen

Former Houston Texan Kevin Walter (left) talks with former Houston Texan and current Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin at the Bulls and Blackjack celebrity poker tournament and casino night, a fundraiser for the

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nick Moore, with the 186th Air Refueling Wing, operates the boom on the back of a KC-135 Stratotanker while refueling an F-16 from the 138th Fighter Wing over the Gulf of Mexico, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Houston. ( Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle )

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nick Moore, with the 186th Air Refueling Wing, operates the boom on the back of a KC-135 Stratotanker while refueling an F-16 from the 138th Fighter Wing over the Gulf of Mexico,

Roy Montiel, right, 8, plays with his brother Jayden Harrell, 3, while their mother Aracely Harrerll, left, watches while waiting in line to meet football players at the Super Bowl LI Salute to Service Barbeque

Houston Texans defensive end Christian Covington, left, smiles as he poses for photographs for military families during the Super Bowl LI Salute to Service Barbeque at the Ellington Field Joint Base Reserve,

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick waits on a questions during a news conference in advance of Super Bowl LI at the J.W. Marriott on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston

Emily Pierce right, poses for a photograph with three of the Budweiser Clydesdales with handler Rudy Helmuth during Clydesdales visit to Houston as part of Super Bowl week at the Anheuser-Busch brewery Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle )

Emily Pierce right, poses for a photograph with three of the Budweiser Clydesdales with handler Rudy Helmuth during Clydesdales visit to Houston as part of Super Bowl week at the Anheuser-Busch brewery Tuesday,

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, left, is handed a hamburger by Kel Mitchell, as he rivives his role from Nickelodeon's Good Burger, during Super Bowl LI Opening Night at Minute Maid Park on Monday, Jan.

Stephan Jones right, hits Giovanni Rakestraw left, during a football pratice drill at the NFL Play 60 Character Camp led by Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Munoz at the NFL Experiance Monday,

Dallas Jacquet left, and his son Dallas Jacquet, Jr. stand on the field before the NFL Play 60 Character Camp led by Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Munoz at the NFL Experiance Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle )

Dallas Jacquet left, and his son Dallas Jacquet, Jr. stand on the field before the NFL Play 60 Character Camp led by Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Munoz at the NFL Experiance Monday, Jan.

Vince Dancer walks his dog Gemma in front of the Wings over Water kinetic sculpture on the Avenida Houston, the new civic plaza in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 in Houston. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle )

Vince Dancer walks his dog Gemma in front of the Wings over Water kinetic sculpture on the Avenida Houston, the new civic plaza in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 in

Yari Rodrigues, left, and Osvaldo Gonzalez with Sign Systems Inc. are shown in a reflection as they apply a vinyl graphic sign to the outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Houston. The sign is for the NFL Experience, a Super Bowl LI event that features NFL themed games and activities. It will be open on January 28-29 and February 1-5. ( Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle )

Yari Rodrigues, left, and Osvaldo Gonzalez with Sign Systems Inc. are shown in a reflection as they apply a vinyl graphic sign to the outside of the George R. Brown Convention Center Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in

New England Patriots star Tom Brady became the first quarterback in NFL history to win five Super Bowls last month. This week he finally got word that he might get to keep the jersey he wore in his most recent triumph at Super Bowl LI in Houston.

One of the bizarre stories from the aftermath of Houston's Super Bowl was that Brady, when he returned to the Patriots locker room at NRG Stadium after a record comeback to beat the Atlanta Falcons, couldn't find his jersey.

The missing – but likely stolen – jersey apparently became the subject of an international search involving the FBI.

HPD Chief Art Acevedo said the NFL's private security was in control of the locker room from which the jersey went missing. He suggested they "check their protocols," since the 2017 jersey was recovered along with a 2015 game jersey of Brady's that was apparently also stolen.

Media: Houston Police Department

On Monday morning, the NFL and Houston's police chief reported jersey was located and will be returned to the Patriots.

Investigators with the Houston Police Department's Major Offenders Division traced the jersey to Mexico, Chief Art Acevedo tweeted Monday morning, adding that it was recovered with help from the FBI as well as Mexican authorities.

HPD says the Major Offenders Division is "responsible for the investigation of highly specialized and often unique types of criminal activity that fall outside the scope or expertise of other investigative divisions."

The division has investigators who focus on specific crimes like fugitives, illegal dumping and animal cruelty. It also participated in the FBI's interagency task forces, including one aimed at major thefts.

The 2017 jersey was found along with Brady's jersey from the team's 2015 Super Bowl victory "in the possession of a credentialed member of the international media," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement.

At a morning press conference at HPD headquarters, Acevedo said the suspect had legitimate access to the event and was not a ticket holder.

Acevedo said the NFL's private security was in control of the locker room from which the jersey went missing. He suggested they "check their protocols," since the 2017 jersey was recovered along with a 2015 game jersey of Brady's that was apparently also stolen.

He said while the Texas Rangers participated, it was Houston investigators who found an informant who pointed the investigation to Mexico.

Video footage helped investigators and likely will serve as evidence for criminal charges expected from the U.S. attorney's office, the chief said.

The NFL and the FBI now have the jerseys in Boston, Acevedo said, where they will be tested to confirm they are the missing items -- though the chief said police are "highly confident" they found the right jerseys.

Police said they would not comment on the suspect except to say it was not a Houston resident.

Once investigators from HPD's Major Offenders Division tracked the jersey to Mexico, the department asked the FBI to connect with Mexican authorities, who then assisted.

While downplaying the theft's severity, he said the department took pride in tracking down a suspect. "They came to the wrong state," he said.

Acevedo said the department devoted a "handful" of investigators from the Major Offenders Division to the case but told them not to "burn the midnight oil."

"This was not the highest priority of the Houston Police Department," Acevedo said several times, pointing to a fatal shooting here over the weekend as a more pressing issue.

However, he suggested this resolved the "only blemish" on Houston's moment in the international spotlight as a Super Bowl host.

McCarthy said the NFL worked with the Patriots' security team, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick weighed in a few hours later: "I always suspected someone in the media grabbed it because no one connected with the team would take it and the media was the only other group who had access to the locker room and would be carrying something to stuff it in. Note to the international media: Don't Mess with Texas."

More breaking details: NFL believes the jersey was stolen by someone posing as international media (cont) https://t.co/2CbbOctQe6

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